Carling Cup

Tom is back in healthy profit here as Everton crashed out 1-0 on the night, and 3-1 on aggregate to Chelsea.

When you get it wrong, there’s nothing quite like being completely wide of the mark and a bet on the unders in last night’s Spurs v Arsenal semi-final never looked like obliging.

While that confident pick ultimately proved a shocker, I am expecting to collect tonight in the second last four clash. Everton and Chelsea meet for the right to face Spurs at Wembley and it is the current Carling Cup holders that have a slender 2-1 lead from the first leg.

The game at Stamford Bridge a fortnight ago turned on the sending off of Jon Obi Mikel. The hosts had dominated up until that point but it was the Toffee’s that grabbed the initiative after, and they would have felt hard done by when they conceded late on. The tie is poised perfectly and I expect a really good game this evening.

With key men from both sides absent, mainly due to the African Cup of Nations, I think the game will be won in midfield and, on paper, it is the visitors that hold sway.

They look strong, despite no Lampard or Essien, and the signing of Nicolas Anelka means they can pack the midfield. He is an excellent player to employ as a lone striker, especially away from home, and the lead they hold from the first leg could be crucial in how the match unfolds.

While I have been against Chelsea on plenty of occasions recently, their 2-1 lead means they do not need to force the issue and I think that suits their mentality. Their back four is strong enough to cope with any early Everton onslaught and the presence of Claude Makelele adds extra protection.

While the best priced 2.50 about a Chelsea win is short enough, I am happy to be against the hosts at 3.20. Yakubu is a big loss for David Moyes and I anticipate a frustrating night for him. It’s an all-London final for me.